By: Rich Fisher
Susan Paterson shook up her lineup until she shook a victory out her Cranbury School tennis team.
In one of their best showings of the season, the Vikings to a 7-1 victory over Kreps this past Monday.
"We mixed up the usual teams because we had so many players absent," said Paterson, the team’s co-coach along with Barbara Rogers. "Most of our teams had relatively easy matches but a couple of positions were difficult.
"Aidan (Milner) and Ajay (Vithala) tried their best but their opponents were all over the court and especially tough at the net. They were in a good rhythm for the first set but couldn’t keep up the effort to take the second."
But the Vikings got victories from the remaining seven spots in the lineup, as first singles Mike Mayes won 6-1, 6-0, second singles Shabeg Singh won 6-0, 6-0, third singles Will Rogers won 6-3, 6-3 and fourth singles Andrew Paterson won 6-4, 4-6 (7-0 tiebreaker). In doubles, Garrett Riley-Mike Conover won 6-4, 6-3 at second, Asheech Cheerath-Jason Trenkle won 7-5, 0-6, (8-6 tiebreaker) at third, Gabby Durand-Amanda Chen won 6-1, 6-0 at fourth and Drew Holland-Chris Allunario won 6-0, 6-0 at fifth.
"Garrett and Mike played really well even though they were under the gun most of the time," Paterson said. "Garrett was patient and waited for opportunities to hit hard, topspin shots deep to the baseline or lobs which took their opponents off the net. Mike was also effective at the net and was able to take advantage of returns by his opponents of Garrett’s deep set-up shots to the baseline. It was great teamwork by both boys and a good match to watch.
"Jason and Asheech also worked hard to pull off a win. Their opponents were steady and determined to win, but they pulled together in the end during the third set tiebreaker. They caught their opponents off guard with a few down the line winners past the net person. That gave them the confidence to rally to win the tiebreaker."
Last week, while continuing the stellar play he has shown all season, Singh helped the Cranbury School tennis team to a 4-4 tie against Crossroads last week. Singh won at first singles to get the Vikings started.
"He won, 7-5, 6-4, with confidence and consistency," Paterson said. "He had success with his pounding serves and excellent ground strokes. He has a great attitude on the court."
Mayes and Rogers also won at second and fourth singles, while Milner and Allunario won at third doubles.
"Mike started strong in the first set, winning 6-0, but let down and lost the second set, 6-2," Paterson said. "In the end, with good mental focus, he was able to pull out a decisive win in the third set tiebreaker," winning 7-2.
"Will Rogers played a smart game and came away with a 7-5, 6-3 win. His game is about consistency and waiting for opportunities to put the ball away. A patient player with good mental toughness skills, his play has improved since the beginning of the season."
Milner and Allunario took a narrow three-set victory against a tough tandem. After losing the first set 6-1, they rallied to win tiebreakers in each of the next two sets.
"They had a slow start but once they figured out their opponents’ game, they showed their solid partnership and mental toughness to overcome them," Paterson said. "This was the surprise winning match of the day."
Although they did not win, Riley and Pat Chen played "an excellent match" before losing on a third-set tiebreaker.
"They are a perfect doubles team with great skill and athleticism for the game of tennis and they have a supportive partnership," Paterson said. " One of the most difficult parts of doubles is to stay positive and encouraging with a partner, especially when you’re down. These boys instinctively know how to boost each other’s confidence."
The second doubles team of Vithala-Derek DelCore played a hard fought match that was called in the second set with the Cranbury duo trailing 5-3.
"The boys started very confident, which was evident in the game by their pounding topspin groundstrokes and in their good volleying effort," Paterson said. "But their opponents stayed aggressive and in the first set Derek and Ajay lost in a tiebreaker, 7-5."
Other tough matches were played by Andrew Paterson in 3rd singles, and Conover and Trenkle in 4th doubles.
Cranbury then dropped a 7-1 decision to a tough Community team last Wednesday.
"They have the toughest and most season players of any team we play against," Paterson said. "All of our players did their best; all but one came up short."
Milner and 6th-grade JV player Amanda Chen had the day’s lone win for Cranbury, winning the first set in a tiebreaker and wining the second set, 6-3.
"They are both terrific athletes with a good instinct for the game," Paterson said. "Aiden is fast moving on the court and Amanda is a natural volleyer. They are determined and focused players. I expect good things from both these players next season."
Other well played matches came from Andrew Paterson and Rogers at third and fourth singles.
"They played extremely well but their opponents were just too good to beat," Paterson said. "The first doubles team of Garrett Riley and Pat Chen also played well and gave their opponents a good run."
TRACK & FIELD
It has been a record-setting year for the Viking track team, as nine school records have been broken by the current crop of Vikings.
"Some of these records have stood for years," coach Jay Gilligan said. "This has been a banner year and I am anticipating a strong performance from both the boys and girls teams in the Middlesex County championship (May 26). There maybe be even some more records broken."
Tom Hellstern and Olivia Johnston have been the major culprits in swiping former marks. Each has been part of record-setting relay teams, while Hellstern set three individual marks and Johnston set two.
Hellstern, Nick Liu, Michael Brennan and Kyle DeBlois set a new mark in the 4×100 relay in 52.0 seconds, while Hellstern broke the records in the boys 4K shot (36-feet, 2 inches) at Hightstown and the 100 meters (12.0) at East Brunswick. He also tied Nick Santise for the record in the 400 meters (58.0) at East Brunswick.
Johnston joined Dana Sahli, Anna Shea and Zara Stasi in setting the girls 4×100 record in 58.3 seconds at East Brunswick. She also set records in the 200 (28.8) at EB and the 55 hurdles (8.6) at West Windsor Community.
Sahli also got into the act, setting the long jump mark in 14-4.
SOFTBALL
The Vikings took a 14-5 victory over Crossroads last Wednesday in a game shortened to five innings due to lightning. Each Viking player reached base at least once, and Arienna Joyce did a nice job on the mound.
"Allison Kelly shined at second base," coach Cristina Alaya said. "She made a lot of plays during the course of the game. And (captain) Amanda Eisenbrey is showing much improvement and confidence at bat.
Eisenbrey scored two runs in the win.
"The girls are improving and having a great time each and every game," Alaya said.
The win was followed by a 15-15 tie with Kreps on Friday in a game in which Cranbury had just nine players.
"Most of my players were not in their regular starting positions due to absences, so they all stepped up and did really well," Alaya said.
Lisa Faraci scored three runs in the game, Deanna Boehm, Kate Johnson, Sarah DiLella and Jessica Charwin scored two apiece and Kim Wright, Joyce, Elizabeth Kelly and Clara Maselli each scored once. DiLella had five assists at shortstop while Boehm pitched a complete game.
"Kate Johnson stepped into the infield for the first game this year," Alaya noted. "She usually starts in center field."
ON Monday, Allentown eked out a 10-9 win over the Vikings.
"The girls had nothing to hang their heads about for this one," Alaya said. "They played hard and to the end."
Boehm scored three runs and Alaya said "Arienna Joyce did a nice job pitching."
On Tuesday. Allison Kelly had the team’s lone run in a loss to MacFarland.
"Laura Mawn caught for us and did a great job," Alaya said.
